​James Monroe
​Date of Birth: April 28, 1750
Date of Death: July 4, 1831
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
Terms in Office: March 4, 1817 - March 4, 1825 (two terms)
Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins (both terms)

For the accomplishments that James Monroe made throughout his term as president i believe that Monroe deserves the grade of an A. Monroe deserves the grade of an A because he was the only president, other than George Washington, to take numerous national tours of the country to reach out to American citizens, he also established a cabinet and the Missouri Compromise. Monroe also did many great things internationally as well, the improving of America's relations with Britain, the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819, and what he is most famous for, the Monroe Doctrine.

One of Monroe's many goals as president was to improve America's relationship with Britain. Monroe negotiated two important accords with Britain, that resolved border disputes held over from the War of 1812. To improve America's relationship with Britain two important accords were passed. These accords resolved border disputes with Britain held over from the war. The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817 demilitarized the Great Lakes and put limits on what each country could have located in the Great Lakes, military wise. Also, the Convention of 1818 fixed the present U.S.-Canadian border from Minnesota all the way to the Rocky Mountains. These accords also helped establish a joint U.S.-British occupation of Oregon for the next ten years. These accords helped mend the relationship between America and Britain because it caused both countries to negotiate and compromise with eachother helping build the relationship between the two countries back up.

Monroe had a great relationship with Congress. He established a Cabinet and appointed a diverse committee to his Cabinet. This was a refreshing change from the government officials before him. Congress was a majorty Democratic-Republican. Monroe allowed his congressmen to work freely and in a laid-back environment. He encouraged debates and discussions about controversial issues having to do with our country but the ultimate decision was left up to Monroe. Monroe's Cabinet and Congress had a great amount of respect for him, this being the reason why the relationship between the two was so strong. Monroe actually listened to what his congressmen had to say which is why they developed so much respect for him, this being the reason why the relationship between the two was so good.

The Monroe Doctrine, which is what James Monroe is most famous for, is probably one of the best decision he and his congress could have made. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement made by Monroe separated into three parts. He first talked about and repeated the the traditional U.S. policy of neutrality, he then declared that the United States would not accept the recolonization of any country by its foreign European Master, and finally added that no other European country should consider Western Hemisphere open to new colonization. Although the United States did not have anything to back their policy up with Britain favored Monroe's policy so the United States had virutally a free ride on Britain's Royal Navy. Also, they established a promise with France that France would not help Spain recover their former countries. Monroe's intention with this doctrine was to resist further European encroachment in the Western Hemisphere. This still remains as one of Monroe's lasting achievements.

I believe that it was not a smart decision by Monroe and his Congress to decide to invade Spain's Florida territory. The southern farmers wanted to expand their land down into Spanish territory. But, with the swampy land down in Florida it was a hard and failed attempt to invade. I believe there was no point in trying to invade Florida, it was really of no use to the United States and was a pointless invasion. It cost the United States money and even though we got the land in the end, what was of use of the swampy land other than the coast to set up trading ports? I really believe that Monroe could have gone without invading Spanish-Florida.

Monroe's decision to take a national tour really had made lasting impressions on future generations. Monroe was actually concerned about the people he was representing, he wanted to make life as good as he possibly could for these people, and the only way he could do that is by taking a tour of the country and see what his people are all about. Not only did Monroe take a tour of the country he took numerous tours. These actions taken by Monroe showed his country that he actually cared about the people of his country. These actions taken by Monroe have served as a model for future presidential candidates, showing them how to interact with the people of their country. Today, you see the President of the United States constantly traveling throughout the country and throughout the world, to interract with the people they are working with in foreign affairs and to work with the people they are representing within their own country. These actions taken by Monroe have served as a model for future presidential candidates and have had a lasting, positive impact on the United States.

I believe that James Monroe deserves the grade of an A for his terms served as president. He made many great achievements such as the Monroe Doctrine and left many lasting impressions on the people of the United States of America. He made smart decisions when it came to foreign affairs and was one of the few presidents so far that showed his concern for the people of his country, this being the reason why I think James Monroe deserves the grade of an A for his terms served as president.

Bibliography

"James Monroe". American President. 02/24/2010 <http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/monroe/essays/biography/5>.


"James Monroe". The White House. 02/24/2010 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamesmonroe>.